Indianapolis Colts Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions

In 2012, the Indianapolis Colts found their quarterback of the future in Andrew Luck, taking him with the No. 1 overall pick. Three years later, the Colts are now in a position to build a Super Bowl contender around Luck by adding some key prospects in the 2015 NFL draft.

The Colts currently have nine draft picks to work with, including the No. 29 overall selection in the first round. There are a number of ways the Colts could use their first pick, but it's likely that they'll use it to add a key playmaker on the defense.

All of the focus on Thursday has been on first-round picks, but impact players can be found in later rounds. Remember that Robert Mathis wasn't taken until the fifth round by the Colts, and he's gone on to be one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL.

General manager Ryan Grigson could find a future star in this year's draft, and with nine picks, he'll have more than a few chances to do so. Having said that, let's take a look at one last seven-round mock draft for the Colts, excluding any potential draft-day trades. These may not be the picks the Colts make, but they're the ones that I think they should make.

Round 1

Pick No. 29: Eddie Goldman, NT, Florida State

The Colts are going to have to sit back on Thursday night and wait to see who winds up falling all the way to No. 29. Landon Collins would be the best-case scenario in the first round, but I can't see him slipping that far with a number of teams in need of an impact safety.

An inside linebacker might be the choice here as well, but with Eddie Goldman on the board, it would be hard to pass up on him. Josh Chapman has yet to live up to the hype at nose tackle, and it might be time to find a true starter at the position.

The Florida State prospect has the size needed to fill the position at 6'4'' and 336 pounds, and he uses that size to his advantage. With strong shoulders and good burst off of the snap, Goldman is able to get into the backfield and make plays in the run game.

Goldman has yet to develop as a consistent pass-rusher and disappeared at times during the 2014 season, but he's such a powerful prospect that he could come in and be an instant upgrade at the nose tackle position for the Colts.

Round 2

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Pick No. 61: Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson

After not taking an inside linebacker in the first round, the Colts might want to see which ones are still on the board in the second round. The top group of prospects at the position all look like they could become legitimate starters in the league, and although I'd prefer Denzel Perryman in the second round, I think that Stephone Anthony will be the guy still on the board.

Anthony is a very talented player that's worth a second-round pick after standing out during the Senior Bowl. He plays with the speed and agility you want in a linebacker while still bringing an ideal frame at 6'3'' and 243 pounds. He might not be quick enough to cover running backs out of the backfield, but he should be able to drop in coverage and contain NFL tight ends.

Instincts are important at the linebacker position, but Anthony isn't the best at recognizing plays. He'll need to work on making the right reads at the next level, but if he can do that, he has the potential to be a long-term starter in the Colts' 3-4 defense.

Round 3

Pick No. 93: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

I'm holding out hope that a player like Samford safety Jaquiski Tartt drops all the way to the end of the third round, but after a strong Senior Bowl outing, I'm not sure if he's going to be there when the Colts make the pick at No. 93.

Instead, the Colts might want to consider looking for their backup behind Frank Gore to embrace the Ahmad Bradshaw role as a third-down back that can make plays in the red zone or as a pass-catcher. 

If he wasn't 5'9'' and 205 pounds, Abdullah would probably be one of the first running backs taken. He's a decisive runner that hits the hole at near-top speed and can burn by defenses for big gains. Abdullah may be the best receiver out of the backfield in this class, almost never dropping passes.

If Abdullah is going to play behind Gore, he'll have to work on becoming better in pass protection. Ball security has also been a big issue for Abdullah, but if he can work on those things, he could be the weapon that Bradshaw was this past season before getting hurt.

Round 4

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Pick No. 128: Anthony Harris, S, Virginia

Safety is the biggest need for the Colts, not only because they need a starter alongside Mike Adams, but because they also have a serious lack of depth at the position.

Versatility is almost as important as skill at the position if the Colts haven't taken a safety before the fourth round. Virginia's Anthony Harris could be gone before this selection, but if he isn't, the Colts would be smart to bring him in.

Harris can play either free or strong safety, but doesn't have the size to be consistently in the box at 6'1'' and 183 pounds. Still, he has great instincts and the speed to play in coverage while creating turnovers with some good ball skills.

Although not the biggest, strongest or fastest safety in this class, Harris has the intelligence and versatility to play either safety position; the Colts need that kind of prospect on their roster.

Round 5

Pick No. 165: Shaq Mason, C/OG, Georgia Tech

The interior of the Colts offensive line has been a concern for some time, and while they have some depth on the inside now, the team could use some more.

Shaq Mason started every game at right guard for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets the past two seasons, leading the way for their run-heavy offense. He may only be 6'1'' and 300 pounds, but Mason can drive through defenders better than a lot of offensive linemen in this year's draft.

By staying low and continuing to move to his feet, Mason does a great job getting leverage to push defenders back. He can also make some big blocks in the second level to give running backs wide-open lanes.

Because he's smaller and doesn't have the ideal arm length, Mason will drop in the draft. However, he looks like the type of player that the Colts could draft in the fifth round to give them depth at right guard or even center.

Round 6

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Pick No. 205: Jake Rodgers, OT, Eastern Washington

Gosder Cherilus struggled to stay healthy last season, and the team didn't have a lot of depth at offensive tackle behind him. That needs to change, even if it's only by taking someone in the sixth round.

Jake Rodgers is a former high school tight end that made a career at offensive tackle while at Eastern Washington. At 6'6'' and 320 pounds, he's an impressive athlete with quick feet and takes good angles as a blocker.

Balance is a big problem for Rodgers, however, so he'll have to work on that while becoming more comfortable as an offensive lineman at the next level.

Pick No. 207: Cody Riggs, CB, Notre Dame

Darius Butler thrives in the Colts defense as a nickel cornerback, but if Vontae Davis or Greg Toler go down, he has to move to the outside. If that happens, the Colts need someone else that can come in and be an effective nickel corner.

Cody Riggs doesn't have the size NFL scouts want at 5'9'' and 185 pounds, but he's a terrific competitor with the instincts and awareness to play the position. He proved himself against some future NFL receivers this past season, relying on technique and aggressiveness to frustrate them.

Although Riggs isn't going to win any jump balls or make a living on the outside, he's an intriguing depth player that could come in and play nickel when needed.

Round 7

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Pick No. 244: E.J. Bibbs, TE, Iowa State

Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener might be the clear starters at tight end for the Colts, but that doesn't mean they couldn't use some depth at the position.

E.J. Bibbs is far from the most athletic tight end prospect, but he's a comfortable pass-catcher that works hard in a zone-blocking scheme. He definitely needs to work on his technique as a blocker, but he's worth a shot in the seventh round to see what he can bring.

Pick No. 255: Ryan Russell, DE/OLB, Purdue

With their final pick in the draft, the Colts can focus on potential more than anything. Ryan Russell didn't blow people away at Purdue, but at 6'4'' and 269 pounds, there's a lot to like about him.

Russell has the long arms and an athletic frame to potentially move to a 3-4 outside linebacker. However, he struggles with technique and is as raw as pass-rushers come. With the right coaching and a couple of years on the bench, Russell could eventually become a productive rotational player, but he's a definitely a project more than anything.